Since debuting the original manga series in 1999, Masashi Kishimoto’s mega-popular Naruto brand name has been adapted across several multimedia avenues. Yet, while the comics and animated series remain the most beloved, people either forget or often overlook the spate of nonfiction tie-in tomes that have been made available for consumption over the past two decades.
Such nonfiction Naruto books include official guidebooks and commemorative fanzines, illustrative art books, retrospective data books, anniversary compendiums, and more. These are great collectibles for Naruto fans who want to soak up as much granular detail about the venerated anime.
Naruto Anime Profiles Vol. 1-3
One of the first nonfiction Naruto tie-in books includes the 2006 release of Naruto Anime Profiles Vol. 1, written and illustrated by Kishimoto himself. Two more volumes would be published, all of which serve as an official guide to help readers make sense of the voluminous anime series.
All told, the first 185 episodes of the series are chronicled in all three Naruto Anime Profile volumes, making it ideal for completists who may have missed an episode here or there or have a specific question on a particular storyline. There are also brief character breakdowns and biographies for the curious.
Naruto: The Official Character Data Book
If readers want more information on specific Naruto players than offered in Naruto Anime Profiles, then check out Naruto: The Official Character Data Book. The exhaustive 360-page paperback written by Kishimoto offers a comprehensive encyclopedia of biographical knowledge relating to Naruto, Sakura, Gaara, Kakashi, Rock Lee, and the rest.
Whether a reader is a Naruto neophyte or expert, the book is invaluable for anyone who wants to take the plunge and find out as much as possible about the character’s cool origin stories, how they became such superior fighters, and other compelling story arcs that evolve over time.
The Art Of Naruto: Uzumaki
For a nonfiction Naruto book completely devoid of character details and lengthy profiles, get a copy of The Art of Naruto: Uzumaki by Kishimoto. The superb art book published in 2007 features high-quality prints of Kishimoto’s original Naruto illustrations, featuring the most iconic main characters in the most stunning poses imaginable.
With a brief missive explaining each picture, a really cool layout, and an interview to encourage budding artists alike, the book is full of dazzling colors and gorgeous artwork that leap off the page.
Uzumaki Naruto: Illustrations
Published eight years after The Art of Naruto, Kishimoto returned to add nearly a decade-worth of breath-taking new drawings in Uzumaki Naruto: Illustrations. The 104-page dazzler also comes equipped with a fascinating commentary by Kishimoto, a cool sticker sheet, and a giant double-sided poster.
While it’s worth noting that Kishimoto published a second artbook in 2010 between The Art of Naruto and Illustrations, this one entails the conclusion of the manga series, making it more comprehensive and ultimately more priceless than its predecessor. It’s a must-have for Kishimoto’s beautiful artwork alone.
Naruto: One Decade, One Hundred Ninja
Speaking of exhaustive commemorations, Naruto: One Decade, One Hundred Ninja is a special 10th-anniversary celebratory tome that is ideal for the biggest fans of all things Naruto. Published in 2009, the Japanese import consists of rare artwork of 100 characters seen in the comics, movies, and TV shows, including some that have never been seen before.
Marking ten years of multimedia Naruto success, One Decade, One Hundred Ninja is a great way to track the progress of the series by looking at a distinct time capsule in the history of the character. A great memento indeed.
Naruto: The Official Fan Book
Published in 2008, Naruto: The Official Fan Book offers readers a much deeper dive into the trivial tidbits and fascinating factoids surrounding Naruto’s long and complicated story arc. Whereas the other nonfiction books focus on artwork and character data, this one includes maps, character secrets, and hidden information about Naruto and his crew.
Written by Kishimoto in a really playful way to keep readers enthralled, the official fan book also comes with a copy of the 44-page original manga written by Kishimoto. The book is absolutely essential for die-hard Naruto completists who want to leave no stone unturned.
Naruto Kizuna – The Words That Bind
Released in two volumes in 2013, Naruto Kizuna – The Words That Bind is a collection of the manga and anime series’ most memorable lines and quotations from everyone’s beloved characters.
Witty one-liners, droll quips and humorous barbs, and even lengthy monologues and crucial conversations are included in the nonfiction compendium. It’s a great addition for those interested in how Kishimoto uses language to tell universal stories and how they translate across various countries.
Naruto: The Fourth Official Character Data Book
Published 12 long years after the inaugural character data book, the fourth final entry of its kind is an absolute must-own item for Naruto enthusiasts. The content is far more substantial than the previous three data books, providing rich detail about each main character’s origin story and how they came to be, including what some consider to be a rushed ending.
Equipped with an exclusive interview by Kishimoto on his unique creative process, as well as a three-page “Road to Naruto the Movie” preamble, the definitive character guide is among the absolute best nonfiction Naruto tomes.
Naruto Christmas Coloring Book
Considering the cottage industry of Naruto coloring books, it only seems right to have a little holiday fun and include the timeliest one of all. Indeed, the Naruto Christmas Coloring Book is a great way to bond with the children, celebrate the beloved characters in unique ways, and enjoy a fun Christmastime activity with the whole family.
Written and illustrated by Tamara Pikstra, Naruto Christmas Coloring Book offers over 100 ages of original hand-drawn illustrations to fill in, all of which are printed on one side to avoid seepage. With large 8.5×11″ pages, the book places the most iconic Naruto characters into hilarious yuletide scenarios for everyone to enjoy.
Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto Exhibition Official Guidebook
Published in 2015, the most recent and arguably the most valuable nonfiction collector’s item includes the Naruto Exhibition: Official Guidebook. The exclusive hardcover edition written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto features newly drawn artwork of a public display in book form.
With full bilingual English and Japanese translations, the highly sought-after collectible is essentially a living work of art, it’s a great way to peek into the mind of a true artist and how he relates their creations to the masses even after enjoying great success.